Teachers: To Desk or Not to Desk?

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Written by Holly (Teach Starter)

Last updated Sep 25th, 2019 | 8 min read

Do you love a teacher desk as much as I do? For me, a teacher desk is a haven for beautiful (mostly unnecessary) office supplies. After all, bits and bobs need a home, right? But, what if I told you that many teachers have successfully gone #deskfree and are loving it? This idea is not new. What’s more, it is proving to be a highly popular choice among teachers.

It got me thinking – what would the benefits of ditching the teacher desk be and what would you do with all the ‘stuff’?

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Why Teachers Are Ditching Their Desk

If you sit down at your desk right now, have a look around… create a pile of things that haven’t been used at all, or that you really don’t NEED to do your job. Surprised?

Yes, there is, of course, going to be items that you will need to have on hand in the classroom – we have a solution for this later in the blog. But, going desk free is actually do-able, liberating, and there are a number of benefits too. Still unsure? Stay with me…

(1) More Space and Flexibility

Most of the old school teacher desks are big and cumbersome. Surprisingly, even though you are just getting rid of one piece of furniture, you’ll notice right away the extra learning space you’ll create by ditching your desk. Whether you are trying out flexible seating in the classroom or using student desks, removing the large teacher desk will give you more space to set up your classroom the way you want!

(2) Limits Clutter and Prevents Paper Mountains

Let’s face it – the teacher desk, most of the time, is just a giant surface for clutter. Not to mention the paperwork that comes across a teacher’s desk daily. When I was teaching I had all the right intentions to keep my desk in an organized state – but it never stayed like that.

No need to spend your Friday afternoons cleaning your desk when you don’t have one to worry about!

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(3) Gets You Out and Social

Ok, you won’t have a problem picturing this…

The craziness of the morning is over and the kids are happily at lunch. You grab your lunch and without hesitation sit back at your desk to eat your lunch and start to grade the pile of papers that are collecting. Here’s the thing – the work can wait (it’ll be there when you get back – I promise).

Without a desk – you are more likely to head to the teacher’s lounge and have a break, away from the classroom. This is good for you mentally and also allows you to have more professional conversations with your colleagues. You’ll be surprised how much better you’ll feel by having a small break and debriefing with another teacher!

Spend some time talking to other adults! You’ll feel rejuvenated!

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(4) Removes a Barrier

As teachers, we know the importance of having a student-centered classroom. For some teachers who don’t necessarily use their desk during the day, this may not become an issue. For me, when I was teaching, I would often find myself heading over to my teacher desk and getting caught in the habit of teacher-to-student engagement from my desk. My desk sort of became a ‘safe’ zone. By removing my teacher desk, I may not have fallen into this trap!

Sarah from @teacherishappy also shares a similar experience…

(5) Ups Your Step Count!

So, it’s a well-known fact that a teacher’s step count is up there with the highest number of steps in a day.

But, imagine what ditching your desk would do to your step count? Aim to break records…

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Going Desk Free – Tips and Desk Alternatives

(1) Storage Solutions for Desk Free Teachers

You now have an excuse to get one of the famous Ikea utility cart (The Raskog). You may have seen these delightful little storage carts on the #teachergram.

Pair it with some of those colorful drawers that you can get at most craft stores and you have a place to store all of those essential items you may need to access throughout the school day!

When All is Said and Done!

You do you, boo! At the end of the day, we think teachers with desks and teachers that have gone #deskfree are all amazing!! We hope this blog has given you something to think about. If you decide that your teacher desk is still purposeful and helping you be the best teacher you can be, then definitely keep the desk. Georgia from @teach.tea.type loves using her teacher desk:

“I think teachers, as professional workers, deserve a space to perform administrative tasks and organize their work… it is a valuable part of the classroom”

If you have been thinking of giving away the traditional teacher desk set-up… be brave and give it a shot!